Merle J. Mehrkens

Merle J. Mehrkens age 66 of Zumbrota died on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 at Rochester Methodist Hospital. Funeral services are scheduled for Saturday, December 22, 2007 at 11:00 AM at Christ Lutheran Church in Zumbrota with Reverend Erich Westphal officiating. Burial will be in Zumbrota Cemetery. Visitation is scheduled for Friday, December 21, 2007 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 PM at the Mahn Family Funeral Home � Larson Chapel in Zumbrota and one hour prior to the service at the church.

Merle Jeanette Westgard was born on January 9, 1941 in Bonneville, Alberta, Canada to Thomas and Florence P. (nee Gilbertson) Westgard. Merle grew up in New Westminster, British Columbia. In 1959 she graduated from Lester Pearson High School in New Westminster. She worked as a secretary in New Westminster until moving to Rochester in 1962. On July 20, 1963 she married Alvin G. Mehrkens at Christ Lutheran Church in Zumbrota. They made their home in Zumbrota and Merle worked as a medical secretary at Mayo Clinic until retiring in 2002. Merle was a member of Christ Lutheran Church and enjoyed knitting, reading, ice skating, swimming and traveling. .

Merle is survived by her husband, Alvin of Zumbrota, two sons, Brent (Suzanne) Mehrkens of Byron and Mark (Liz) Mehrkens of Zumbrota; four grandchildren, Jessica, Brandon, Jake and Lilly Mehrkens; one brother, Gordon (Estelle) Westgard of White Rock, British Columbia and one sister, Chris (Clive) Clayton of Vernon, British Columbia; nieces and nephews. Merle is also survived by an aunt, uncle and cousins in Norway. Merle was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Florence Westgard. The family suggests memorials to the American Cancer Society.